MMS #39 | New Year, New Me? Your financial health check for 2025

01/12/25 • 19 min

We're back, baby! Liv and Jennie kick off 2025 with a brand new podcast season, and an episode dedicated to making your 2025 as kick-ass as possible - both personally and financially. As we all shake off the cobwebs of 2024, they share insights on crafting New Year's resolutions that stick, and a bunch of strategies to help you manage your money better, both over the short and long-term. This episode covers:

Why it's important to reflect on your past year, both the wins and the challenges (of course, we bare all in sharing our own!)
How to set SMART goals in order to plan for financial success
Innovative ways to tweak your budget and savings strategies to align with your New Year’s resolutions
Your 2025 KiwiSaver check-in, with tips on optimising your retirement savings in a quick and easy way
Tips for setting up your emergency fund to be prepared for the unexpected
Some ways to put a bit of fun into goal-setting - it doesn't have to be all spreadsheets and retirement planning!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
- Money Talks: Discover a wealth of options for financial mentoring and support
- MoneyHub: Our fave educational site with a range of financial guides, tools and more
- Sorted.org: Retirement planning, goal-setting, budget templates, you name it!
- PocketSmith: A comprehensive platform to track your budget and forecast your finances.
- Simplicity Investment Funds: Explore a range of managed fund options for hands-off, simple investing.

Whether you’re planning to overhaul your budget, save for a big trip, or just get a bit more organised with your money, this episode could be your first step towards a financially fruitful 2025 (and beyond!).

---
Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!
Find us:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

Why it's important to reflect on your past year, both the wins and the challenges (of course, we bare all in sharing our own!)
How to set SMART goals in order to plan for financial success
Innovative ways to tweak your budget and savings strategies to align with your New Year’s resolutions
Your 2025 KiwiSaver check-in, with tips on optimising your retirement savings in a quick and easy way
Tips for setting up your emergency fund to be prepared for the unexpected
Some ways to put a bit of fun into goal-setting - it doesn't have to be all spreadsheets and retirement planning!

Previous Episode

MMS #38 | Navigating inflation with Shamubeel Eaqub (the what, why, and how it all works)

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is excited to welcome (back!) Shamubeel Eaqub, well-respected author, commentator and Simplicity's new Chief Economist and Head of Policy. He helps explain inflation in simple terms, discusses its impact on everyday Kiwis, and how we can manage our finances more smoothly in what is a highly inflationary environment. This episode covers:

What inflation is in a nutshell, and how it specifically affects your wallet - from your grocery bills to the gas pump to insuring your things
The underlying causes of the inflation spikes in recent years, from global economic upheavals and war to local weather disasters
Practical tips for adjusting your budget and saving strategies to weather the storm of rising prices
How government and financial policymakers work to balance inflation with economic growth
Tips on where to seek financial guidance and support to manage your money during the cost of living crisis

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
- Find a raft of options for financial mentoring and support via Money Talks

Hopefully this episode will help you arm yourself a little better with a better understanding of inflation, and some tools you can use to maintain financial stability in what can be a scary time.

Next Episode

MMS #40 | Side hustle or hassle? Your quickfire guide to making money on the side!

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie dive into the world of side hustles - exploring whether they’re a hustle worth pursuing or a hassle to avoid! With rising living costs, more Kiwis than ever are turning to side gigs for financial support, new skills, or to explore passion projects.

This episode covers:

The rise of hustle culture in NZ and why nearly half of Kiwis are considering a second job
A quick-fire list of practical side hustle ideas, from renting out spare rooms to selling online, freelancing, or dog walking
The pros and cons of taking on a side hustle, including the potential for burnout, tax obligations, and managing multiple priorities
Jennie and Liv’s personal experiences with side hustles, along with their top tips for success - whether it’s setting boundaries, marketing yourself, or choosing a hustle that fits your lifestyle!

Resources mentioned in this episode:
- MoneyHub: Offers comprehensive guides on side hustles and avoiding scams.
- Canstar: Provides a list of 25 side hustle ideas tailored for New Zealanders.
- Business.govt.nz: Includes helpful information on managing tax obligations for second job holders, contractors and side hustlers.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be better equipped to decide whether a side hustle is right for you and how to hustle smarter, not harder %)